(Photo: FOX4KC)
We have a new dynasty in the league now and that’s the Kansas City Chiefs. They became the first team since the 2003-04 and 04-05 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champions. It’s been nothing but deep postseason runs for them ever since Patrick Mahomes became the starting Quarterback. Each year since he was named starter, the Chiefs have either player in the AFC Championship or the Super Bowl. One of the biggest storylines following them this year was Chris Jones and what would they do. Would they keep him or would they extend him and give him a new contract? I know you all remember that first game of the year against the Detroit Lions when he was in the skybox watching the game because he was holding out. A deal has been done now! He has agreed to a five-year deal worth $160 million and $95 million guaranteed which will make him the highest-paid Defensive Tackle in the league today.
Chris has become one of the five best defensive players in the league today. For so many years, we were all saying other players on this Chiefs defense were more important, but the buck stops with Chris and you see just how vital he is to what the Chiefs do as a defense. Look how much he was missed in the season opener last year against the Lions and I will still sit here and say that’s a different ball game if he’s playing and Detroit doesn’t do what they want offensively if he’s on the field that night. He’s become one of the best interior pass rushers I’ve seen in such a long time. Chris is the closest thing I’ve seen to Richard Seymour. Just as the Hall of Famer did, Chris can play inside and on the edge, but I feel he does his best damage from the interior. I love the motor he plays with because it’s always revved up and ready to go. He is as complete as it gets as far as his position is concerned because no matter where he’s lined up, he can be a force and be productive. Chris is a 297-pound man with electric speed and an elite first step off the snap of the ball. That get-off along with having scrappy, yet violent hands is so essential for any Defensive Linemen playing the position today. Back to his hands for a quick second. Chris knows how to position himself and get his hands on any Tackle attempting to block him and once he has his hands on you, he’s won his battle. He’s able to hit you with a cross chop or long arm and does it with pure power. Chris has often been labeled as the closer for the Chiefs meaning he will make that sack or big play when it’s crucial. I remember seeing this in the AFC title game when they played the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. They didn’t even attempt to double or chip him and he got a big-time sack of Joe Burrow late in the game. The Chiefs get the ball back, kick a field goal, and advance to the Super Bowl. I love his hustle and I say that because each time I watch him, I see a guy that gives it his all every play.
He’s become that one guy that you must know where he is at all times. If you don’t attempt to chip or barricade him, he will ruin your game plan. The Chiefs don’t win either of their three Super Bowls in the last five seasons without Chris Jones, plain and simple. He is the “Aaron Donald of his defense” meaning he’s so important and valuable to what it is that they do. Kansas City’s defense improved significantly and he’s one of the keys to why they were able to be so successful this year. The bigger the game, the brighter the lights, the better he appears to be. He deserves every penny of this extension and I’m glad he’s staying put in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.
